Red Lava Horse Riding Tour From Reykjavik

Red lava rides beat a bus tour. This tour is built around small-group horse time near Reykjavik, with hands-on help from start to finish and a strong focus on letting beginners feel safe fast (while experienced riders can still get options). I especially liked the Icelandic horses—they’re calm, well cared for, and often give you a real taste of the tölt gait. The main drawback to keep in mind is weather: in late-season ice or snow, footing can get slick, and your ride can feel less relaxed.

For the price of about $139.13 per person, you’re not just buying a ride—you’re buying the whole setup: warm gear like rain clothing and winter overalls, plus a warm-up afterward. You also get the option of door-to-door pickup from Reykjavik hotels or the BSI bus terminal, so you’re not spending your morning (or afternoon) hunting transportation.

Key Things You’ll Like (Quick Hits)

• Up to 15 riders means you get real attention while mounting, riding, and adjusting your technique.
• Horse matching happens at the stables, so they try to pair you with the right horse for your comfort level.
• Heiðmörk + lava hills gives you volcanic history views without a long drive.
• Route choices at Hólmsheiði let beginners ride smoother paths and more experienced groups take different lines.
• Tölt opportunities show up on most rides, with guides encouraging you at your pace.
• Warm drinks after the ride help you thaw fast when the wind picks up.

Getting There: Reykjavik Pickup That Actually Works

This is one of those Reykjavik tours where logistics matter, and here they keep it simple. The base meeting point is Solhestar Horse rental Reykjavik, Surtlugata 19 (110 Reykjavík). If you choose pickup, they can pick you up from Reykjavik hotels, guesthouses, or the BSI bus terminal.

Pickup typically starts 30 minutes before departure, with set windows like 9:00 for a 9:30 morning start and 13:00 for a 13:30 afternoon start. Pickup can take up to 20 minutes—so plan to be ready when they come by. There’s also a time rule: if you’re not at the pickup point by about 5 minutes after pickup starts, there’s a chance your booking gets canceled. That’s rare, but it’s worth respecting so your day stays smooth.

I like this setup because it fits how Iceland actually feels day-to-day: you’re often walking around in wind and rain, and you don’t want to add a second stressful scramble just to reach the stables.

Solhestar Stables: Gear Up, Meet Your Horse, Get Moving

At the stables, you spend about 30 minutes getting ready. This isn’t just a quick check—it’s where the tour’s “beginner-friendly” promise really starts to show.

You’ll get fitted with weather gear like rain clothing and winter overalls (handy in Reykjavik weather, which can shift fast). Some riders also mention jackets, pants, and riding boots being available to make the experience easier. The goal is simple: keep your body warm and your legs comfortable so you can focus on balance and learning the basics.

Then comes the thing you can’t shortcut on horseback tours: the horse match. You’ll choose (or be guided toward) a horse that fits your experience and comfort level. Guides are attentive here—people talk about feeling looked after during outfitting and mounting, not just handed a helmet and pointed toward the arena.

This is also where you’ll likely meet staff like Claudia or Klara—names that popped up in real guide shout-outs. You’re not guaranteed to get any one person, but it’s a good sign that the operation leans on friendly, practical coaching rather than a hands-off approach.

Heiðmörk Nature Reserve: Lava Hills and a 5,000-Year Story

Once you’re mounted, you move from “gear and setup” into the scenery part: Heiðmörk Nature Reserve. Expect about an hour here, with the area’s lava hills as the backdrop.

What makes this stop feel worthwhile is the time scale. You’re not just seeing volcanic rock—you’re seeing it with context: they’ll point you toward the history of a volcano that’s around 5,000 years old. That detail turns the ride from pretty scenery into something you can mentally place.

One practical note: this is Iceland. Wind and wet matter. If it’s raining, don’t assume you’ll stay dry without gear. The tour provides rain and winter layers, but you still want warm socks and gloves if you run cold.

This section is a great pace check too. Beginners can settle into the rhythm, while riders with more experience can start watching how the horse handles different ground textures.

Rauðavatn: When Forestry Started in Iceland

At Rauðavatn, you’ll get a stop with a different angle on Iceland: not just geology, but human history. This is connected to the first steps of forestry in Iceland, beginning in the early 20th century.

Even if you’re not a history nerd, this stop works because it breaks the ride’s pattern. You go from volcanic terrain and nature reserve views to a human-shaped landscape story, and it helps make the trip feel more complete than a one-note “red rocks, repeat” outing.

Hólmsheiði Rides: Redhills Path for Beginners vs Routes for Experienced Riders

This is the heart of the ride. The tour’s total duration is about 2.5 hours, with about 1.5 to 2 hours riding. The riding itself covers roughly 5–7 km, depending on your group and experience level.

The team offers route choices in the Hólmsheiði area:

• You might ride a smooth path along the Redhills.
• Or, for more experienced riders, you may ride by Rauðarvatn.

That choice is a big deal for value. A lot of horseback tours claim they can handle all levels, but you can feel it when routes are too hard for beginners or too slow for experienced riders. Here, the route flexibility means your day is more likely to match what you actually want out of the ride: a steady, confidence-building experience—or a chance to push the horse’s gait a bit more.

Guides also manage small-group energy well. People mention personal, friendly service and that they adapt speeds and comfort when needed. They also keep instruction going while you ride, not just during the first few minutes.

The tölt moment: how you get that Icelandic experience

A major reason riders book Icelandic horse tours is the tölt gait. You often get chances to experience it, sometimes multiple times. The key is that you won’t be forced into it if you’re new or unsure. Guides encourage at your pace, and you can focus on staying balanced while the horse does the work.

If you’ve never ridden before, this is where the experience goes from sightseeing to “I’m actually doing something.” Riders describe it as magical and easy once you relax into the rhythm.

And yes, sometimes you’ll want to freeze in place just to watch the scenery go by—then your guide helps you get moving again.

Comfort Matters: Safety, Weight Limit, and Skill Matching

The tour caps groups at a maximum of 15 travelers, which helps everything: horses get prepared properly, guides can watch hands and posture, and you’re not bouncing around in a huge crowd of riders.

There’s also a maximum weight limit of 110 kg. If you’re near that limit, it’s smart to confirm you’re within range when booking.

Riding is beginner-friendly, but it’s not risk-free. A calm horse is not the same thing as easy footing in all weather. In icy conditions (especially late fall), some riders report stress because the ground can be slippery and footing can challenge multiple horses.

So if you’re considering booking in late autumn or winter when ice is possible, go in with a realistic mindset. Wear the warm layers you were given (and add your own warm socks). Move carefully. If you feel unsteady, tell your guide early so they can adjust how you ride.

Photos, Warm Drinks, and the Little Touches That Make It Feel Complete

This tour doesn’t treat the ride like a pass/fail test. Guides are attentive and help with comfort and balance continuously. People also mention that guides take photos at lava rock spots from different angles and can use your phone to capture your shots.

That matters because the Icelandic-horse look can be hard to get on your own. You’re riding, you’re bundled up, and you’re dealing with wind. Having someone help with photos means you walk away with proof that you did more than just stand in front of lava.

After the ride, you’ll warm up with drinks—coffee and tea show up in accounts from the day. It’s a small detail, but it’s exactly what you want when you’re wet, cold, or both.

Price and Value: What $139.13 Gets You (and What You Should Expect)

At about $139.13 per person, this isn’t the cheapest activity around Reykjavik. But for what you get, it often feels like fair value.

You’re paying for:

• Gear provided (rain clothing and winter overalls)
• Horse matching and hands-on guidance
• A meaningful ride length (around 1.5–2 hours in the saddle)
• Access to multiple scenic areas (Heiðmörk, Rauðavatn, and Hólmsheiði)
• Pickup options from key Reykjavik points
• Small-group format (max 15)

Where the value gets real is the “it works even if you’re new” part. If you’ve never ridden, the biggest cost isn’t the ticket—it’s the risk of wasting time and feeling unsafe. A beginner-friendly setup, plus ongoing instruction, reduces that risk.

The one way value drops is when conditions make everything slower or more cautious. If ice or harsh weather changes the ride rhythm, your experience may feel less like a fun outing and more like careful handling.

Who Should Book This Red Lava Horse Ride

This tour is a great fit if you want:

• A short Reykjavik-area horseback experience without driving far on your own
• Beginner-friendly guidance that continues after you mount
• An Icelandic-horse experience with tölt chances
• A day plan that feels balanced: nature + history + ride time

You should think twice (or talk with the team directly) if:

• You’re very sensitive to slick footing and you’re traveling in a season when ice is common.
• You have balance issues and you want to ride at speeds beyond walk. In that case, it’s smart to say your comfort level clearly before you head out.

This is also a solid choice if you’re traveling with mixed experience levels, since the route can be adjusted and guides aim to match riding ability.

Should You Book It?

Yes—if you’re coming for the Icelandic-horse experience and you want a guided ride that adapts to you. The combination of small-group size, gear support, and real riding time makes it feel like more than a quick novelty stop.

I’d book it if:

• You want pickup so the day stays easy.
• You’re excited to try the tölt gait.
• You’re happy riding through lava terrain with wind-and-rain realism.

I’d hesitate if you’re booking during a period where ice is likely and you’re prone to feeling panicky in slippery conditions. In that case, go in prepared, be honest about your comfort, and let the guide choose the pace and route that fits.

If you do book, pack warm socks, consider gloves, and dress for wind. Then show up a few minutes early for pickup so your start stays stress-free.